Herbs for Healing

[Hurghada Lady]

Garlic was an important healing agent to the ancient Egyptians just as it still is to the modern Egyptians and in all Mediterranean countries. Raw garlic was routinely given to asthmatics and for those suffering with other bronchial-pulmonary complaints.

Fresh Garlic cloves can be peeled and mashed and macerated in a equal parts vinegar and water. This can be used to gargle, rinse the mouth, or take internally to treat sore throats and toothache. Another delicious way to take garlic both for prevention as well as treatment is to macerate several cloves of mashed garlic in olive oil. This can be used as an external liniment or taken internally for all bronchial and lung complaints including colds. A freshly peeled clove of raw garlic wrapped in muslin or cheesecloth and pinned to the undergarment will protect against infectious diseases such as colds and flu's. (no one will kiss you for sure.. he he he)

Besides these, garlic has many more uses when applied externally or internally to relieve pain, promote healing, stimulate digestion, stimulate sexual libido, treat insomnia and to eliminate and prevent parasites. In fact, it has been said that garlic is able to effectively treat all diseases except the ones it causes. If this is a problem, one can use parsley to alleviate the strong smelling breath.


Other herbs used by the Egyptians include:

Coriander (C. Sativum): commonly used by the ancient and modern Egyptians (Copts). It is considered to have cooling, stimulant, carminative and digestive properties. Both the seeds and the plant are used as a spice in cooking to prevent and eliminate flatulence, they are also taken as a tea for stomach and all kinds of urinary complaints including cystitis. Coriander leaves are commonly added fresh to spicy foods to moderate their irritating effects. Coriander was one of the herbs offered to the temple by the king, and seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and in other ancient burial sites.

Cumin seeds (Cumin cyminum): is an umbelliferous herb indigenous to Egypt. The seeds are considered to be stimulant and carminative. They are often used together with coriander for flavoring (especially in curries together with turmeric). Besides its use as a condiment it has many medicinal uses. Cumin powder mixed with a little wheat flour as a binder, mixed with a little water can be applied to relieve the pain of any aching or arthritic joints.

[Semsema]

Well the one about the Cumin Seeds I will definitely try.

I don't know why but my hip is really playing up at the moment. I always knew when it was going to rain in the UK because both my left thumb and hip would be hurting like blazes. Can't blame rain here though can I.

[Jewel]

We have a large selection of herbs in the garden - some with the veggies eg borage, coriander, cress, fennel and many others in a raised herb bed -rosemary sage thyme parsley lemon balm,chamomile, mint(in many varieties) and use most of them for cooking as well as medicinal. I have a really old herbal book that was my grandmothers with a lot of useful information, it is amazing how versatile and effective erbs can be.
When you mentioned cumin was that black cumin seeds as found in egypt?

A doctor friend of ours in egypt who is studying infectious and tropical diseases in cairo says that hepatitis is a huge problem there at the moment and the statistics kept are under-reporting the incidence of these especially hepatitis B andC and a massive vaccination programme is needed to attempt to reduce the incidence.
As hepatitis C is especially a huge problem, (known as the silent killer) and is epidemic proportion in egypt ......... and there is no treatment at present it causes many deaths(remember anita roddick from body shop?)
there are many herbs that can help in maintenance of the liver etc in sufferers of this disease such as milk thistle licorice root and ginseng

[BBLUX]

Here is a resource of information specifically on Egyptian herbs. I found this when researching the ones I had been given for a UTI.
http://www.herbsofegypt.com/OrderHerbs/OrderHerbs.htm
I had Halfa Bar and also Bakdonis (broad leaf parsely) as a tea infusion and it has certainly helped me. Our taxi driver friend told me he has the bakdonis tea every morning as a sort of tonic.

[BBLUX]

Another useful one for when you have a cold or that nasty flu like thing which hit us last Winter is Immulent plus. This is available in most phamacies at LE15 a 20 capsule packet. It contains a blend of Echinacia and Golden Seal.